Where to watch Wishes-BESIDES California Grill

[StacyPop]

Anybody have any suggestions? We always go to the California Grill to watch the MK Fireworks because my husband hates the crowd. Next trip is just me and the kids-so we don't need a fancy dinner, but is there another good restaurant/place to see the fireworks from?
My kids are 2 and 5 and I am too nervous to fight the crowd alone to get a good spot standing in the park.

 

[Windy City Heather]

O'hana. They also have coconut races for the kids and a parade for the kids.

 

[Robo]

Ohana is one of our favorites.
But you don't need to go to a restaurant to see Wishes outside the MK.

There are many other viewing spots, like from TTC or the Grand Floridian.

But, the beach at the Poly offers a spectacular view.
For the best spot, walk long the sidewalk behind the Poly until the MK Castle is no longer obstructed behind trees.
That's the spot.

 

[LOLA2]

We can go to the beach at the poly even if we are not a guest?

 

[Robo]

We can go to the beach at the poly even if we are not a guest?

Anyone at any time can visit any WDW resort.
There are restaurants, shops, beautiful lobbies, and bike and boat rentals at some.

The beaches are not the POOLS (pool-hopping is a no-no).
So yes, you can take any WDW bus, resort monorail or boat to the Poly and stroll and/or watch Wishes from there.

 

[DVC Sadie]

Anyone at any time can visit any WDW resort.
There are restaurants, shops, beautiful lobbies, and bike and boat rentals at some.

The beaches are not the POOLS (pool-hopping is a no-no).
So yes, you can take any WDW bus, resort monorail or boat to the Poly and stroll and/or watch Wishes from there.

Actually now there is a sign on the beach at the Poly that states that the beach is for resort guests only. Just wanted to give you a heads up on this situation. After all of the complaints from Poly guests they are enforcing the use of the beach to resort guests only.

 

[LOLA2]

Oh jeez that stinks, I was getting excited about watching wishes on beach after dinner at Ohanas.

 

[Robo]

Oh jeez that stinks, I was getting excited about watching wishes on beach after dinner at Ohanas.

No one.
NO ONE.
Can tell you to NOT be watching Wishes from the Poly beach.

In case you missed it. I'll repeat it.
NO ONE can tell you you can't watch Wishes from the Poly beach.

They may not want outsiders to "lie on the sand in the sun" (ala "Pool Hopping")...
But you may watch Wishes any night from the Poly Beach.

Besides, if you are eating at Ohana, you ARE a "guest" at the Poly.

 

[Pluto's Honey]

No one.
NO ONE.
Can tell you to NOT be watching Wishes from the Poly beach.

In case you missed it. I'll repeat it.
NO ONE can tell you you can't watch Wishes from the Poly beach.

They may not want outsiders to "lie on the sand in the sun" (ala "Pool Hopping")...
But you may watch Wishes any night from the Poly Beach.

Besides, if you are eating at Ohana, you ARE a "guest" at the Poly.

Actually when I was making my ADR's my CM told me about going out the back door going down to the beach swing ina hammock and watch!! I would think it is ok!!!!!!!!!

 

[alite]

I've never done it, but I've read a couple of trip reports of people enjoying the Wishes cruise/boat ride. If you're not with your husband this time and not worried about the crowds, the bridge to Tomorrow Land is a good place to see Wishes. Tink flies right over you

 

[Pluto's Honey]

I've never done it, but I've read a couple of trip reports of people enjoying the Wishes cruise/boat ride. If you're not with your husband this time and not worried about the crowds, the bridge to Tomorrow Land is a good place to see Wishes. Tink flies right over you

So would that be a good place to be with my DD9? She wants to see tink!!
Thanks

 

[Robo]

So would that be a good place to be with my DD9? She wants to see tink!!
Thanks

On the bridge that goes to Tomorrowland from the hub is one of the best places to see Wishes (and Tink).
But this tidbit of info is not exactly a "secret".
So, yes, you, your daughter, and about ten thousand of your closest friends will be standing right there.

NOTE, do NOT stand near Tomorrowland.
Stand near the hub-side of the bridge.
Once you reach about half-way across this bridge, the main fireworks will be obstructed.

 

[LOLA2]

No one.
NO ONE.
Can tell you to NOT be watching Wishes from the Poly beach.

In case you missed it. I'll repeat it.
NO ONE can tell you you can't watch Wishes from the Poly beach.

They may not want outsiders to "lie on the sand in the sun" (ala "Pool Hopping")...
But you may watch Wishes any night from the Poly Beach.

Besides, if you are eating at Ohana, you ARE a "guest" at the Poly.

Thanks, I was getting worried.

 

[Thierry444]

I saw on a map there were 2 bridges from hub to Tomorrowland. Which of them is the better place ? Thanks for your help.

Thierry

 

[Robo]

I saw on a map there were 2 bridges from hub to Tomorrowland. Which of them is the better place ? Thanks for your help.

Thierry

I'd only stand on the bridge that is ACTUALLY THERE since there is only ONE.

OK, there is another sort of "wimpy" little bridge that heads into the Tomorrowland/Fantasyland "split". (Its closer to the castle.)

But the one we're discussing is a BRIDGE
with big futuristic icon "spires" a bit more than halfway across it.

You can't miss it.
(Don't be tempted to stand (or sit) near the "spires"... the main fireworks will be obstructed.)

And other "inviting" places to AVOID:
Do NOT stand on the sidewalk that goes from the hub to Adventureland.
Do NOT stand on the sidewalk that goes from the hub to Frontierland.
Big trees (invisible in the dark) obstruct the mian fireworks, and there is poor-to-inaudible SOUND here as well.

Same goes for the "Noodle Station" Restaurant seating area.
It LOOKS like every front table would be a good viewing spot.
It fills with unknowing guests. BUT...
Except for 2-4 tables here with REALLY GREAT views... the rest are NO GOOD (main fireworks obstructed) and they don't turn off the lights and there's no good SOUND here, either.

 

[Thierry444]

Thank you so much for your informations. I've been told that upper deck of Liberty Square Riverboat were a nice place to watch Wishes... Do you have something to say about that ?

 

[eeyore45]

River boat hasnt been running when we went to MK! (it probably is running now!)

You wont see Tink from there - and with the trees, etc, its kinda far from the castle so you'll miss some of the color changes of the castle...

It depends on what you want - but like a previous poster mentioned - you and about 10,000 others will be jockeying for a position to see Tink and the castle, and the fireworks from around the castles' hubs...

Some sit and wait, right in the middle of walkways, streets,etc, some just stand and wait (its kinda cool to stand in the middle of the mainstreet, face the castle and wait - you do get looks tho - people turn to see what you're looking at!!) Its like finding a "perfect" spot for a parade, when you're informed, you know to get there early to stake out a spot - then the latecomers come in edging you over...

Keep in mind its all Disney, and this show takes place in the air - its Disney, the crowds become part of the magic too!!

 

[Robo]

Thank you so much for your informations. I've been told that upper deck of Liberty Square Riverboat were a nice place to watch Wishes... Do you have something to say about that ?

If all you want to see is FIREWORKS, you can stand at MOST areas in the MK.
(And a wide variety of places OUTSIDE the MK.)

But if you are NOT at CERTAIN SPECIFIC LOCATIONS, you will MISS the "full impact" of the SHOW called "Wishes".

Wishes has two fireworks "STAGES":
One fires its missiles from a location FAR BEHIND any public area of MK.
The other fires its missiles from the ROOF-TOPS of Fantasyland/Liberty Square/the Castle.
The guests' VIEWING ANGLE will affect "if and how" these two stages can be viewed together (they are designed to be viewed "together".)

There is a full AUDIO TRACK that is synchronized with the fireworks.
It is the "motivation" for the unique fireworks effects that change with each MOOD and SECTION of the audio track.

The audio, and positioning of the two fireworks "stages" relative to the viewer will affect the impact of the show.

The front of the CASTLE ITSELF is part of the "show".
There is an elaborate lighting system that is used to change the color of the castle to suit each MOOD, and even "textures" and shapes are projected on the castle at key points in the show (Mickey's Sorcerer's HAT is a great one).

Tinkerbell's flight (which used to take place PRIOR to the old fireworks show at MK) is now WITHIN "Wishes". She doesn't fly EVERY night, but she OFTEN flies and you should be in a position to see her.

The SWEET-SPOT for Wishes is: starting from approx. the "bridge to Tomorrowland" ...on up Main Street to the "Main Street Cinema" (Pal Mickey Store).
That is simply the "optimum viewing" area.

There are MANY other places to watch, but they are all compromises that diminish the "full effect" of the show in one way or more:

Some have little or no SOUND.
Some have obstructed views of the fireworks.
Some only allow viewing of one of the two fireworks "stages".
Some places (like the Main Street train station) don't turn off the lights in the area, so there will likely be lights in your field-of-vision.
Some don't allow a view of the castle-front and/or Tinkerbell when she flies.

So, if you don't MIND this, you can choose from a multitude of "viewing spots" throughout the MK.

My point is that the show is designed for "FULL EFFECT" to be seen from the "Sweet spot" areas I described. (But, yes, those can be C-R-O-W-D-E-D!)

Best analogy I can think of:
Sitting across the highway from a Drive-In Theater and "watching the movie" with binoculars. You can do it, but it LACKS something.